1946 marked the first year Baby Boomers came into the world. Below are some of the life-altering events that changed the lives of Americans born after World War 2.

The following all happened in 1946.

• The Commission on Human Rights was created and it established The Subcommittee on Prevention of Discrimination against Minorities.

• Radar waves were bounced off the moon proving communication in space was possible and beginning the Space Age.

• In Tokyo, 20 people were hired at the Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering Co, later re-named Sony.

• The “Club 500” in Atlantic City hired Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis for their first gig as a comedy team.

• Bikinis went on sale in Paris

• The Flamingo became the first hotel to open in Las Vegas.

In 1961, President Kennedy established a four-point physical fitness program. For the first time, a “White House Committee on Health and Fitness” required public school students to pass a physical fitness test.

Fitness Patch

Fitness Patch

President Kennedy asked Meredith Wilson (Music Man) to write a song for baby boomers to play while exercising.  That tune is called the “Chicken Fat Song”. Robert Preston, who starred in The Music Man on Broadway, sang the  three-minute, radio-friendly ditty. In my hometown, Brockton, MA, morning d.j.  “Doc” Jones played “The Chicken Fat Song” each morning right after the 7:00AM news. So the words, “Go, you chicken fat, go!” became ingrained in the memory of Brockton Baby Boomers.

 Capitol Records Vinyl 45

Capitol Records Vinyl 45

All of the celebrities below were born the same year as me, 1946

Dolly Parton

DOLLY PARTON

Porter Wagner’s favor-rite singer

Mickey Dolenz

MICKEY DOLENZ

Star of TV’S Circus Boy and the Monkees

Liza Minelli

LIZA MINELLI

Judy Garland’s Academy Award winning daughter

Barry Manilow

BARRY MANILOW

On a Weekend in New England

Cher

CHER

Phil Spector’s discovery

Bette Midler

BETTE MIDLER

“ The Devine M” and the late Joey Iannello

Stevie Nicks

STEVIE NICKS

Stevie (left) and friend

Linda Ronstadt

LINDA RONSTADT

Lead singer of the Stone Poneys (Different Drum)